Facing Similar Struggles as Bronny James & Shedeur Sanders, NBA Legend’s Son Admits Hurting by Father’s Legacy

Two things have been pretty prominent and dominant in the world of sports. First, Bronny James’s NBA debut, performance, and criticism. Second, Shedeur Sanders’s fifth round, 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. But what exceeds every claim is the claim of nepotism. Sons of the greatest stars making their way to the league can’t be a coincidence! Can they? Even if talent spoke louder than their last names, it’s worth wondering if the scenario would be any different.

But hey, Bronny and Shedeur ain’t the only ones facing this backlash from the crowd. Scotty Pippen Jr. is the son of 6x NBA champion and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. He knows what it’s like to be labeled a “nepo baby.” The 24-year-old point guard for the Grizzlies spoke about it on Run It Back. He shared how his famous last name brought both pressure and unfair treatment.

“I think it’s difficult just because people put a perspective on you, on how they think you move and how they think you act, just because of your dad. I feel like we’re sitting there with Deion Sanders and his son, and then LeBron and Bronny,” Pippen Jr. said of the situation.

“We’re seeing it with Deion Sanders and Shedeur, LeBron and Bronny…the name might’ve hurt me more than it helped sometimes.”

Scotty Pippen Jr. talks the expectations of being someone like Scottie Pippen’s son @spippenjr | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/lJtLItKzI5

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 29, 2025

He further added: “For me, I feel like it was tough just because I feel like I wasn’t getting fair treatment. People kind of overlooked me cause of my dad. I feel like the name might’ve hurt me more than it helped me sometimes. It’s unfair for us, but at the end of the day, I feel like all three kids you named are doing well.”

Everyone comes with a belief that growing up with a famous father, youngsters like Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders, and Scotty Pippen are here to chase legacies. Moreover, they turn into victims of assumptions about themselves because of their father’s achievements. Meanwhile, Pippen Jr. feels he was often overlooked or treated unfairly because of his last name. Despite the pressure, he acknowledges that he, James Jr., and Shedeur are still finding success.

This is a developing story…

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